Draft Bridge Investment in Sidewalks and Bikeways Recommendation — original pdf

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BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Urban Transportation Commission Recommendation Number 20240709-005: Bridge Investment in Sidewalks and Bikeways WHEREAS, the Urban Transportation Commission and Joint Sustainability Committee previously supported an investment of $211,386,000 as part of the Environmental Investment Plan to fund short-term mobility goals found in the ATX Walk Bike Roll Plans; WHEREAS, Urban Transportation Commission Recommendation 20240305-006 noted that the proposed investment should “be considered a bridge investment to ensure adequate funding to reach our short-term mobility goals and that the City Council direct staff to develop a plan for future funding strategies to ensure Austin can reach our long-term mobility goals;” WHEREAS, the Department of Capital Delivery Services (CDS) recommended the City Council develop an Integrated Bond Program Development and Delivery Plan, ensuring reliable project delivery timelines and reestablishing a six-year bond cycle beginning with a November 2026 Bond Election; and WHEREAS, current CDS projections show the Sidewalks Program will be left with only $6,660,751 by September 30th, 2025, leading to an 80.35% reduction in the program’s bond spending from the previous year and a likely similarly sharp cutoff in new sidewalk construction; WHEREAS, the 2024 Local Mobility Annual Plan includes over 110 miles of new and improved bikeways that are currently in development with a likely cost of around $73,699,000.00, based on CDS data and Bike Plan cost assumptions, while only $27,019,731 of 2016 and 2020 Bikeways Bond funding remains unspent; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Urban Transportation Commission recommends that if the City Council opts not to bring forward a comprehensive bond package until 2026, the City Council direct the City Manager to develop a 2024 Bridge Bond Package, not to exceed $75 million, to ensure the Sidewalks and Bikeways programs can maintain their current operating level through 2027; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Urban Transportation Commission supports the creation of an Integrated Bond Program Development and Delivery Plan, and recommends the City Council ensures a future 2026 Bond is integrated with the goals and timelines established in the 2023 ATX Walk-Bike-Roll plans as well as delivers on the promises made to voters as part of the 2016 Corridor Program. Motioned by: Seconded by: Date of Approval: Record of the vote: Attest: _____________________________________________ (Staff or board member can sign)